BHOPAL, 6 August — Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh says the central government must take steps to ensure that a growing ban on the use of flavored chewing-tobacco is effective.
"The states cannot enforce such a ban effectively if the product continues to be manufactured at other places in the country," Digvijay said. "A state-level ban will only encourage illicit inter-state trade in the commodity and boost crime. It is therefore up to the center to give teeth to such a ban."
His comments follow an order by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on a public lawsuit seeking a ban on the use, manufacture and sale of flavored chewing tobacco. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have imposed similar bans following court orders.
The consumption of flavored chewing tobacco, or gutka as it is commonly known, is said to be injurious to health."Bans such as these are counter-productive unless preceded by development of mass awareness. Giving up gutka has to be an individual decision that is backed by social approval."
